Multiple-towel holder.



F.'W. smcKmn'. MULTIPLE TOWEL HOLDER.

APPLICATLON ,HLEDJUNE 5| I916. 1,241,778. Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Fig. 8.

fi} C Q Inventor;

F. W. STOCKTON.

MULTIPLE TOWEL HOLDER. APPHCATION FILED JUNE ls. I916- Patenfed Oct. 2,1917.

3 8HEETS-SHEET 2- 4 F. W. STOCKTON.

MULTIPLE TOWEL HOLDER.

' APPLICATION FILED JUNK-Z16. 191s.

1,241,778 Patented Oct. 2,1917.

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FRANK WEBB STOCKTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MULTIPLE-TOWEL HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

Application filed June 16, 1916. Serial No. 104,134.

To all whom it may coiwcrn:

Be it known that I, FRANK WEBB Sroon- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple-Towel Holders, of which the following is a specification.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved device for supplying individual towels for public use, successively to respective users. Another object is to provide means in such device forthedlsposal of soiled towels. Another ObJGQt is to provide in such device, means tending to prevent" the uiisplacement ol' the towels be fore or after use. Another object is to pro vide in such device means tending to especially convenient use. Another object is to provide such av device as will be especially simple and cheap. Other objects will be evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6 are perspective views of several devices for this purpose. Fig. 2 is a vertical, front-to-back, middle section of the"devicc shown in Fig. 1. All these figures illustrate cabinet styles. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 1O, 11, 12, and 13 are perspective views of such devices made of heavy wire and other simple parts. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a towel. Fig. 14 is a vertical, :t'ront-tmback, middle sectional view showing a method of suspending towels. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The device comprises an upper supporting bar or elongated member 2 over which the clean towels 1 are hung or folded; a lower receptacle 3 for containing soiled towels; and a retaining rod 1 extending from the upper bar to the lower receptacle. In Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the lower receptacle such as is shown at 3 in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 is not included in the device as shown. The towels are strung on the retaining rod 1, and for this purpose each towel has at one edge a hole which is reinforced by a gromet 7, the hole being large enough to allow the towel to be easily slipped along the rod. As shown at 6, Fig. 2, the lower end of the retaining rod 1 is bent forward and fits the hole made for it in such a way as to be secureagainst removal unless rod 1 is leaned forward, in which case, it can be slipped out. A shown at 5, the upper end of the retaining rod is secured, and in the normal working position neither end of the rod can be removed. In Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 1-1, the upper end of the retaining rod 1 is shown permanently attached to the supporting bar 2; but if desired the connection can be made such as to afford convenient disconnection. In Figs. 7, S, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, at 6, are shown means for attaching rod 1 to a desired object in such a way as to all'ord convenient disconnection. In Fig. 13 the retaining rod 1 does not touch the supporting bar but has means for attaclnn ent to other suitable objects of support.

In Figs. 1, 2, (3 and 11, the upper portion of the retaining rod 1 extends horizontally outwardly from the suspending bar 2 and then downwardly. In Fig. 3 it extends upwardly therefrom, then outwardly and then downwardly. In Figs. 4, 10, and 11 it extends downwardly therefrom, then outwardly and then dowmvardly. In Fig. 8 the retaining rod 1 first extends dowmvardly a comparatively short distance, then horizontally outwardly and then dowmvardly. This first small downward extension in Fig. 8 is for the purpose of placing the horizontal, outward extension of rod 1 at a slightly lower level than the suspending bar 2, thus modifying the form of a bundle of towels hung overbar 2. In Fig. 9 the retaining rod 1 extends from the suspending bar 2 first slightly down and then slightly out; then upwardly, outwardly, and downwardly. "lheso first slight down and out extensions are for the purpose of placing the upward extension of rod 1 a short distance out from bar 2. In Fi 12 the retaining rod 1 extends from suspending bar 2 first slightly rearwardly then upwardly, outwardly, and downwardly. The first small rearward extension is for the purpose of placing the upward extension of rod 1 a short distance back from the suspending bar 2, thus modifying the form of a bundle of towels suspended over bar 2. In Fig. 12 at numeral 12 is shown a short projection from the retaining rod 1. which serves the purpose of preventing t e gromets of the towels from slipping down past that point while lying over bar 2. In all the devices the retaining rod 1 can have a similar projection or other means to prevent the gromets from slipping all the way to the suspending bar 2. In Fig. 13 the retaining rod 1 extends from its point of attachment at 5 outwardly over bar.2 and then downwardly. In Fig.

, 13 the retaining rod 1 can be made to extend 'incli ncd in any direction. In Fig. 7 the retaining; rod 'l extends outwardly from the rod 1- over bar 2 and hang down back of bar 2: Instead, in many of the devices they can support "bar 2 at an upward inclination to the horizontal.

In Figs. .1, -2, 3, at, and 6the supporting her 2 isgsupported in position by means of bars,-standards or both. n Figs. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, '13, and 14, the suspending bar 2 is supported in position by, simple members which-are themselves attached to other objects for support. In liigs.7, 9,10, 11, 12, and 14,- the retaining rod l'may help support bar 2. 111.;Fig. 8', bar 2 isentirely supported by rod 1;? In Fig; 13 thesupport of suspending bar, 2 is independent of rod 1.

In Figs. 1, 3, ands are shown in perspective'methods ot hanging a towels over the supporting bar '2 and attaching said towel to retaining rod 1. Only a single towel is shown in these three views and it is assumed to be somewhat transparent in order not to hide the "structure beneath. In Fig.

*2; is shown in section a method ofhanging a. large bundle of towels over the supporting her 2, the. towels being retained on the rod 1 by their grome'ts 7. For the sake of clearness only three of the towels of the bundle are actually indicated by the lines of the figure. 1 The intervening spaces are assumed to he filled with towels so as to form'a compact bundle,

It will he seen that if the towels are of equal length, it is necessary to fold the inner, lower ones back and forth several times in order that the lower ends may he even. In the method of suspending the towels as shown, they extend from be. folded from rod 1 over bar 2, hanging down infront of bar 2. The device of Fig. 12 is designed for this forward hanging of the towels. Here the towels hang from the upward extension of rod 1 forward, over,

and in front of bar 2. Also, the device of 13 is designed for hanging the towels so that their downwardly extending ends han frontwardl over the sus )GIIdlD bar 2. In the device of'Fig' 13 the towels hang from the upwardly inclined portion of rod 1 downwardly, frontwardly, and over bar 2'.

in Fig. leis shown in section a method of hanging towels wherein. alternate towels hang downward-from'the retaining rod 1 and the other towels hang back over bar 2. in this method the towels hanging bahk over bar .2 prevent the towels hanging directly downward from becoming disordered, too.

considerable extent. The devices shown in Figs. 6, 'Z-, and 8 provided for this pin'posei 111' i i are adapted to the method of hanging and hanging them upon the clean-towel suspending bar 2, it is well first to form a'bundle of them of such shape as to fit the "given towel-holder. This may be done at the laundry, and is accomplished by hanging the towels upon a suitable form having a shape similar to that of the given towel-holder, and provided with a short rod extending from the form as the retaining rod extends from the suspending bar of the towel-holder.

In using the form, the grolnet of a towel is placed on the short rod with the towel eX- tending outwardly therefrom. The towel is then folded over the form in a position colrespondingwith the position it will occupy on the suspending bar of the towel-holder. Other towels are treated likewise until a bundle 'of towels of the desired size and shape is built up. Then the bundle is firinly bound in this shape by cord and is removed from the form. In orderto keep the holes of the towels in line a wooden stick may now be passed through them and bound in'place. Such a bundle may be transported and conveniently placed on the retaining rod'of a towel-holder and in position on the suspending bar thereof.

' In order to remove soiled .towels'and re place clean towels in the devices of Figs. 1, 2, 3, G,La,nd 13: the upper 'end'of the-retaming rod is unlocked or disconnected at 5', Y r

the rod is leaned forward andlifted' out,

when the soiled towels will fall off the lower end, The lower end is th'en'replaced in its fastening, shown at 6, Figs. 2 and 13," and'a bundle of towels issuitably placed on the retaining rod by way of its upper end. The

die of towels is bar 2.

in the cases shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12,

and 14', the lower end of the retaining rod "upper end is then secured at 5 and the bu'n- 1 is disconnected at 6.- and moved forward;

.zThesoil'e d towels are slipped off andithe bundle clean towels slipped on? and-moved iLOfJOSltilOII'QVGl the suspendingbar 3 n Figsni, 2, 3, 4;, 7, 9, and11, the"members supporting the suspending has 2 [help to hold'thetowls in place they hang over bar 2. l nings. 6, 7, 8,' and it), man hers des p'nateol by reference numera vupright members inarlredii may he .omitted.

In Fig. 9 at reference numeral is shown the supporting member her 2 as having g. these bundle of, towels hanging over be used for the hands or face.

a perpendicularly wavy, spring-like form. The purpose of this is to'facilitate the outward springing of rod 1 after disconnection at 6 for changing thetowels. This object is accomplished in Fig. 11 by making the suspending bar 2 rotatably connected, as showr at 10, to its su portin members, which support it from a bove. In order to facilitate .Qr-e connection and disconnection of rod 1 at its lower'end, a portion of the lower end may be made of chain with a rod on its end for convenient insertion throughthe gromets of the towels and attachment to a support.

In Fig. 9 at 11 is shown a member extending horizontally a short distance below the suspending bar- 2. This member 11 is intended to prevent a person from attempting to withdraw a towelfrom beneath bar 2 instead of from over the top which is the correct way. If the towels are hung forwardly over bar 2, then member 11 does not serve the purpose just named. In the case of the forward hanging of the towels there is less chance of a person attempting to withdraw a towel the wrong way. Member 11 also serves the purpose of stfiadying the It will be observed that the towel-holders of Figs. 7 and 10 can be constructed practically entirely of a single, continuous piece of heavy wire.

F or public use a large number, say one hundred, clean towels are hung in position" on the suspending bar 2 with their gromets strung onthe retaining rod 1. A person desiring touse a towel, grasps the top towel, pulls it forward on the retaining rod 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows to a,

where it can position convenient for use,

After use the row, elongated, suspending member, ad

towel is released and it drops by its weight ,into the soiled-towel receptacle 3, as in some of the devices, or to the lower end of the retaining rod 1, all the while following the course of the retaining rod.

While I have described particular constructions as specific embodiments of my invention, I desire not to be limited thereto.

' \Vhat I claim and desire to secure Letters Patent is:

1. In a device ot'the class described,anar- V apted to suspend a towel by a narrow, median portion thereby allowingits ends to hang downward over the sides of said suspending member; and an elongated retaining member, adapted 'to retain towels attached thereto and to guide the towels from the suspending member -to a point oonvenientfor use and then downwardly, said retaining member extending from a point midway between the ends of the suspending member in a )lane at an angle to the suspending memer, substantially as described.

QQIn a device of the class described, a

towel-suspending member and a towel-retaining member, said device being adapted for the attachment of a towel to the retaining member and its suspension over ,the towel-suspending member, the towel retain- 'ing member extending outwardly from said sus ending member and then downwardly su ciently to constitute a. suitable guide for a towel while in use, substantially as described. a

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

FRANK WEBB STOCKTON. Witnesses:

ROBERT C. Burns, JAY. KAPLAN. 

